Top U.S. Commander Sees Tough Fight in Surprise Visit to Iraqi Base

QAYYARAH AIRFIELD WEST, Iraq — U.S. commanders expect ISIS resistance to strengthen as Iraqi forces move closer to the strategic city of Mosul, the head of U.S. Central Command said during a surprise trip to this U.S. logistics base Tuesday night.

Army Gen. Joseph Votel, commander of the Pentagon's unified command for the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia — including Iraq — flew in to "Q-West" on a C-130 cargo plane under the cover of darkness, making him the most senior U.S. military official to visit so far.

A U.S. Army M109A6 Paladin conducts a fire mission at Qayyarah Airfield West in support of Iraqi security forces pushing toward Mosul.Spc. Christopher Brecht - U.S. Army

ISIS fighters destroyed the runway over the summer as Iraqi security forces advanced to the area to reclaim it. The plane carrying Votel was only the third to land here since the U.S. military repaired and reopened the runway several days ago.

Votel told NBC News that Q West was already playing "an extraordinarily important role in supporting operations" for Mosul — which will be vital as Iraqi forces advance and ISIS puts up and more resistance.

Army Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of the U.S.-led Combined Joint Task Force fighting ISIS, said the terrorist group had deployed used an "extraordinary" number of rockets and vehicle-born improvised explosive devices in the fight for Mosul. Still, he said he was confident that the U.S.-backed Iraqi security forces would retake Mosul.